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Posted November 16, 2009
What Attracts Vocations to the Religious Life Most?Taken from the CARA Report
For more information e-mail CARA at CARA@georgetown.eduNew members of religious life are drawn to it primarily by a sense of call and a desire for prayer and spiritual growth. More than anything else, they were attracted to their particular religious institute by the example of its members, and especially by their sense of joy, their down-to-earth nature, and their commitment and zeal. Some 85 percent say the example of members attracted them "very much." To only a slighly lesser degree, most new members also say they were attracted to religious life by a desire to be of service and a desire to be part of a community. They were attracted to their particular religious institute by its spirituality, community life, and prayer life. Although the ministries of the institute are also important to most new members, they are less important than spirituality, prayer, community, and lifestyle. Younger respondents are more likely to say they were attracted to religious life by a desire to be more committed to the Church and to their religious institute by its fidelity to the Church. Many also report that the decision to enter their institute was influenced by its practice regarding a religious habit. Significant generational gaps are evident regarding the habit and also on community life as well as styles and types of prayer. |